Propelling mechanism for boats



, 1931. E. H. FAHRNEY VPROPELL'ING mzcmulspi- Fon' BOATS March 31 iled on. 19.- 1959' Patented Mar. 31, 193E unirrn STATES PATENT OFFlfiE EMERY H. FAHRNEY, or CH'IICAGO, ILLINOIS PROPELLING MECHANISM FOR BOATS Application filed October 19, 1929. Serial No. 400,763.

\ of the attributes of both an outboard and an inboard motor. at the same time providing a low center of gravity, thereby preventing the tipping of the boat on curves and at other times.

' Heretofore outboard motors have usually been connected with the back board of the boat which is only a part of the shell or covering of the boat, and not to the frame constituting the body structure, with the result that in the larger boats or water crafts the back board will be loosened or otherwise damaged.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved propelling mechanism of this character in which the motor will be mounted inside of the boat and secured to and supported by the main structure or frame of the boat, whereby the shock from the thrust of the water and all vibrations will be imparted to the main frame of the boat and not to the shell or covering therefor.

A further object is to provide an improved water tight closure for the opening through which the engine shaft passes to the outside of the boat.

A further object is to provide an improved propelling mechanism of this character which is connected directly to and supported by the engine or motor.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawing illustrating this invention, and in which Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation, partly in section and partly broken away, of the rear portion of a boat or water craft having propelling mechanism constructed ill accordance with the principles of this invention applied thereto.

F igure 2 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the hack board of the boat, showing the closure for the opening through which the motor shaft passes.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view similar to Figure 2, of a modified form of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing the numeral 10 designates generally the main framework of the boat having a covering or shell 11 and back board 12 connected thereto, as is usual in boats of this character.

Within this structure is arranged a motor 13 of any desired or suitable type and this motor is supported by the main frame 10 in a position where there will be provided a low center of gravity.

The motor case is preferably provided with a tubular extension 14 which projects into and through an opening 15 in the back board 12 of the boat and is provided with a portion 16 preferably reduced externally to form a circumferential flange 1T spaced from the extremity of the portion 14. The reduced portion 16 is provided with external screw threads 18.

The diameter of the opening 15 is preferably somewhat larger than the external diameter of the portion of the engine casing which projects thereinto and secured to the back board 12 of the boat in any suitable manner, preferably, by means of a ring clamp 19 secured in position by means of fastening devices 2O, is a flexible diaphragm 21 which is provided with a central opening 22 into which the reduced end 16 of the casing 14 projects. The diameter of the opening 22 of the diaphragm 21 is considerably less than the external diameter of the flange 17 on the casing 14 and threaded upon the reduced portion 16 of the casing is a nut or collar 28 which co-operates with the flange 17 to clamp the adjacent edge of the diaphragm 21 there between so as to form a water tight oint and thereby prevent the entrance of the water into the boat.

The diaphragm 21 is of a size to produce considerable flexibility so as not to interfere with the bodily movement of the shaft and the casing so that the thrust or resistance power created b and upon the water will be transmitted to t e framework or supporting structure of the boat and not to the back board 12.

The motor shaft 24 extends through the casing 14 to the outside of the boat and connected with the casing 14 by means of suitable fastening devices is a tubular member 26 and connected also to the tubular member 26 is a vertical tubular member 27 which projects for any desired distance below the bottom or keel of the boat, and connected to the upright casing 27 is a gear casing or box 28.

The motor shaft 24 is connected with a vertical shaft (not shown) by means of suitby reason of-the diaphragm 21 any motion of the propelling mechanism and enclosing housing therefor, will not be transmitted to the back board 12, but will be transmitted directly to the main supporting frame or structure of the boat, through the motor casing supported thereby.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 3, the diaphragm 31 is of a somewhat different construction and is preferably inthe form of a disc which is secured to the back board 12 by means of the clam ing or fastening ring'19 and securing mem era 20. This disc 31 isof a somewhat rigid construction and is preferably provided with an annular bearing member 32 secured around the inner peripherythereof. The bearing member 32 1s disposed between the flange 17 and the fastening ring or collar 23. The collar 23 cooperates with the flange 17 to clamp or secure the inner periphery of the element 31 with respect to the casing 14 with suflicient force to provide a water tight joint, but at the same time also provide a sliding fit between the element 31 and the casing 14,- the bearing member 32 forming a packing to produce the fluid tight joint. j

' With this invention it will be manifest that all of the attributes of both aninboard and an outboard motor will be obtained, and

at the same time the motor and propelling mechanism will not be en pgrted by the back board of the boat, but wi-l supported from the main framework'in a position to'producea low center of gravity,"thereby obviating mg and connected with the back 0 the danger of the boat tipping over under I high speed or when rounding curves and at other times. It will also be. manifest that all shock and jar of the propelling mechanism and of the resistance or power transmitted by the impact of the water upon the mechanism will not be transmitted to the shell or covering of the boat, but will be transmitted directly to the main supporting frame of the boat.

lVhilc the preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this 1nvention.

What is claimed as new is 1. Boat propelling mechanism of the outboard motor type embodying a motor aras h ranged adjacent to stem and entirely inside i of the boat, a motor shaft extending through an opening in the back of the boat, a depending shaft connected with the motor shaft outside of the boat, a propeller shaft connected with said depending shaft, casings individual to said shafts, a flexible closure for the opening in the boat and through which closure the motor shaft asses, and means connecting the closure Wlth one of the said casings, the last said casing being free for a lateral movement in said opening.

2. Boat propelling mechanism of the outboard motor type, embodyin a motor arranged adjacent the stern an mounted directly upon the main framework of and within the boat, a motor shaft extending through an opening in the back of the boat, a casing for said shaft, said opening being of a con- "siderably larger diameter than the external diameter of said casing, a vertical shaft connected with the motor shaft, a casing for the vertical shaft, a propeller shaft connected with the vertical shaft, a casing for the propeller shaft, and a flexible diaphragm forming a closure for said opening and connected with the: said back of the boat and the motor shaft casing, the last said casing being free for a lateral movement in said opening.

3. Boat propelling mechanism of the outboard motor type, embodying a motor arranged adjacent the stern and mounted di rectly upon the main framework of and within the boat, a motor shaft extending through an opening in the back of the boat, a casing for said shaft, said openin bein of a considerably larger diameter't an t e external diameter of said casing, a' vertical shaft con-' nected with the motor shaft, .a casing for the vertical shaft, a propeller shaft connected with the vertical shaft, a casing for the propeller shaft, and. a flexible diaphragm forming a closure for said 0 the Ian

- boat and the motor shaft casing, the last said casing being free for a lateral movement in said Opening. 4. Boat propelling mechanism of the outboard motor type, embodying a motor mounted'- within a boat directly upon the main framework thereof and adjacent the stern, a motor casing extending through an opening in the back of the boat, said opening being of a diameter considerably greater than the external diameter of the said casing, a

flexible diaphragm forming a closure for said ing for the propeller shaft.

5. Boat propelling means of the outboard motor type, embodying a motor mounted at a low elevation in a boat and upon the main frame of the boat, a motor shaft extending through an openinggin the back of the boat,

a portion of the motor casing encompassing the shaft and projecting into said opening and being free for lateral movement 1n said opening, a diaphragm forming a closure for the opening and encompassing the casing, means securing one edge of the diaphra m to the boat, means securing the inner edge of the diaphragm to the casing, and a propeller operatively connected with the motor shaft. g

6. Boat propelling mechanism of'the outboard motor type, embodying a motor mounted within the boat upon the main frame of the boat and adjacent the stern, a motor shaft extending through an opening in the back of the boat, a housing for the shaft within said opening and being free for bodily and lateral movement therein, a diaphragm forming a closure for the opening and encompassing the housing, means securing the outer edge of the diaphragm to the boat, means securin the inner edge of the diaphragm to the ousing, and a propeller operatively connected with the motor shaft, said housing being supported by the motor casing.

7. Boat propelling mechanism of the outboard motor type, embodying a motor mounted within the boat upon the main frame of the boat and adjacent the stern, a motor shaft extending through an opening in the back of the boat, a housing for'the shaft within said opening and being free for bodily and lateral movement therein, a flexible diaphr forming a closure for the opening an encompassing the housing, means securing the outer edge of the diaphragm to the boat, means securing the inner edge of the diaphragm to the housing to form a sliding water tight conpeller operatlvely ed atalowe October, 1929.

-nection between the diaphragm andthe said housing, and a propeller operatively connected wi the motor shaft, said housing being supported by the motorcasin 8. Boat propelling mechan sm of the outboard motor t pe, embod ing a motor mounted within the at upon t e main frame of the boat and adjacent the stern, a motor shaft extending through an opening in the back of the boat, a housing for the shaft within said opening and being free for bodily and lateral movement therein, a diaphragm forming a closure for the opening and encompa the housing, means securingthe outer edge 0 the diaphragm to the boat, a bearing member connected with the inner edgeof the diaphra a flange in the housing, a collar adjuste l mounted upon the housing and betweenwhic flange and collar said bearing member on the diaphragm is clamped for a sliding connection with respect to the housing, and a proconnected with the said motor shaft.

9. Boat propelling mechanism of the out I board motor type embodying a motor mountevation within the boat adjacent the stern, an extended motor shaft rojecting through an opening in the bac of the boat, a depending shaft connected with the motor shaft, apropeller operatively connected with said depending shaft, and means v embodying a diaphragm forming a' closure for the said opening in the back of the boat, said motor shaft being free for lateral movement within the said opening and with respect to the boat.

10. Boat propelling mechanism of the out board motor'type embodying a motor mounted at a low elevati 11 within the boat adjacent the stern, an e ended motor shaft rojecting through an opening in the back 0 the boat, a depending shaft connected with the motor shaft, a propeller operatiyely connected with said depending shaft, and means embodying a diaphragm forming a closure for the said opening in the back of the boat, said motor shaft having free lateral movement within the said opening and with re spect to the boat, the inner edge of said diaphragm having a sliding connection with respect to the motor shaft.

In testimony whereof, I have si ed my name to this specification, on this 9t day of EMERY a. FAHRNEY, 

